Simplify your Ikigai

What is your understanding of the ancient Japanese philosophy towards living a healthy, fulfilling, and meaningful life?

Ikigai is often interpreted as the intersection of four key elements: what you love, what the world needs, what you are good at, and what you can be paid for. The direct translation is reason (gai) for living (iki). If external factors like title, fame, and money ceased to exist, what would remain? Your true Ikigai lies in what fuels your soul.

At the heart is "what you love"—not just romantic love, but the deep, resonant energy that fuels human connection and passion. "Passion is oxygen for the soul" - Bill Butler. Just as the body cannot survive without oxygen, the soul cannot thrive without passion. Scientific studies have shown that people with strong relationships live longer, healthier lives. Love gives life meaning, nurtures resilience, and fosters emotional and physical well-being. Your love will cause you to act with unparalleled grit, enabling mastery (i.e., "being good at something") and purpose.

Where Ikigai asks, “What does the world need?” the focus is on service. Service is about giving in abundance—whether through work, mentorship, creativity, or kindness. The wealthiest individuals, in both a material and spiritual sense, are those who serve others. Service removes the confusion of “finding your purpose” and instead asks, How can I help? The answer to that question inevitably leads to prosperity.

Yet love and service mean little without action. Too often, people hesitate in their search for meaning, paralyzed by the resistance of indecision. The truth is, happiness comes from the contentment in mastering what you love and the practice of good deeds. Even imperfect action generates joy and progress. Action is like flint striking stone; it creates the spark to ignite you.

And what about "What you can be paid for?" Companies like Patagonia, TOMS, and Spanx didn’t chase money—they focused on impact. Yvon Chouinard built Patagonia with sustainability at its core, Blake Mycoskie’s TOMS thrived on a “One for One” model, and Sara Blakely created Spanx to solve a real problem. Their unexpected financial success was a byproduct of aligning love, service, and action, the Golden Trifecta.

When the forces of love, service, and action are aligned, life will become whole—clear, purposeful, and luminous—just as white light emerges from the unity of all colors combined.

I love to look at the picture of my favorite sushi chef in Japan. He prepares whatever is caught that day with joy, precision, and the utmost quality. He has been doing the same thing for over 30 years. He is my hero.

Will you wait in the shadows, or will you ignite your light—loving fiercely, serving deeply, and acting boldly?

American entrepreneur Marc Winn to illustrate the concept of Ikigai

© Nuri Dimler 2025